Prevalence and detection of hypertension in Mexico

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence and detection of systemic hypertension in a low income urban area of Mexico City. The population of the studied area was 15,532 inhabitants, of whom 3505 (22.6 per cent) were eligible for study (men aged 35 - 64 years and non-pregnant women). Home interviews were obtained on 2810 (80.2 per cent) and physical and laboratory examination was performed on 2282 individuals (941 men, 1341 women, 81.2 per cent of those interviewed and 65.1 per cent of all the eligibles). Blood pressure (BP) was measured using a randomzero sphygmomanometer (Hawksley, London). Three measurements were made on the right arm after a 5 min rest, with the patient seated. The average of the last two determinations was taken as the patient's BP. High blood pressure (HBP) was defined as systolic BP > or = 160 and/or diastolic BP > or = 95 mmHg, or if the patinet was taking antihypertensive therapy regardless of the blood pressure value. A total of 216 subjects (77 men, 139 women) met criteria for HBP. In the 35.44 age group, prevalence for men was 4.16 per cent and for women 3.06 per cent. In the 44 - 55 age groups the prevalence for men was 7.81 per cent and for women 12.55 per cent. In the 55 - 64 year group the prevalence for men was 16.51 per cent and for women 22.2 per cent. Obesity was associated with HBP (body mass index in men with HBP was 28.9 kg/m² vs. without 26.9 kg/m², p < 0.001; women with HBP, 30.8 kg/m² vs. without 28.5 kg/m², p < 0.001. Fat distribution was upper body in patients with HBP (waist/hip circumferences in men with HBP (body mass index in men with HBP was 28.9 kg/m² vs. without 26.9 kg/m², p<0.001; women with HBP, 30.8 kg/m² vs. without 28.5 kg/m², p<0.001. Fat distribution was upper body in patients with HBP (waist/hip circumferences in men with HBP was 1.02 vs. men without HBP, 0.97, p<0.001, women with HBP, 1.0 vs. without 0.97, p<0.001). In both sexes patients with HBP showed a tendency to higher glucose and insuline values. Women with HBP exihited higher total and LDL cholesterol as well as higher triglicerides when compared to women without HBP. In 14.7 per cent of hypertensive individuals (35 subjects, 21 men and 14 women) HBP was newly diagnosed. The clinical characteristics of this group were not different than in the patients with previously diagnosed HBP. We conclude that the prevalence of HBP is significant in the Mexican population, increases with age, is associated with obesity.